On this day, April 19 of 1911, one of Dixon’s most beloved mayors took office: William Bradford Brinton. Even though he lived in Dixon for only 15 of his 87 years, he left a legacy that has endured for more than a century.

Cleaning up government requires diluting the authority of those who might peddle their influence.

General Assembly Democrats drafted a bill that significantly reduces financial liability to modify the 2008 Biometric Information Privacy Act.

There might be some members who could be open to the idea, but there simply aren’t nearly enough of those folks right now to cobble together a majority of 30 votes in the Senate and 60 in the House and a governor’s signature.

Government is about working for the public. Politics is about perception.

The so-called “Super Outbreak” of tornadoes over April 3-4, 1974, remains one of the worst tornado events in American history. Few remember that it began in Illinois.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and if the insurance companies don’t see it that way, lawmakers might force their hands.

As old man winter is on his way out the door, construction season is on its way in.

If it is possible to separate emotions from tragedy, the ongoing legal drama in DeKalb County may prove instructive.